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A provocative and contrarian religious history that charts the rise of Christianity from the point of view of traditional" religion from the religious scholar and critically acclaimed author of Augustine. Pagans explores the rise of Christianity from a surprising and unique viewpoint: that of the people who witnessed their ways of life destroyed by what seemed then a powerful religious cult. These "pagans" were actually pious Greeks, Romans, Syrians, and Gauls who observed the traditions of their ancestors. To these devout polytheists, Christians who worshipped only one deity were immoral atheists who believed that a splash of water on the deathbed could erase a lifetime of sin. Religious scholar James J. O'Donnell takes us on a lively tour of the Ancient Roman world through the fourth century CE, when Romans of every nationality, social class, and religious preference found their world suddenly constrained by rulers who preferred a strange new god.



About the Author

James J. O'Donnell

James J. O'Donnell is a retired FDNY lieutenant with thirty years ofservice, and his retirement was due to injuries he sustained on 9/11.After retiring he earned his bachelor's degree in religious studies fromSt. Joseph's College, and he went on to earn his master's degree fromFordham University, where he studied theology and religious education.He has now used his experience and insight to bring together thefamilies of 9/11 to share their stories in Sons of Valor, Parents of Faith. This is his first book.



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